Project-Based Learning- Part 1 of 4

When I tutored at ISU, they gave me a mug for graduation.  It had this Chinese proverb on it:

Tell me, and I forget.

Show me, and I remember.

Involve me, and I understand.

Any of my students would tell you that I don't go anywhere without my coffee in the mornings.  In fact, there was one day where I had a stomach bug and my student observed, "Teacher, you must not feel good, you haven't drank any coffee!"  But they may not have noticed that I don't go anywhere without that coffee mug either.  It is a reminder to me of what my teaching should be like, especially when working in English with English language learners.  


So, to me, it only made sense that my lessons would be student-centered and student-driven as much as possible.  I usually engage my students in the process of project-based learning.  Here are 5 reasons why I LOVE it!

1.  Each student must be an active participant.   

2.  Students problem solve.

3.  You can cover MANY standards with one project.

4.  It encourages collaboration, and therefore the use of academic English by the students.  

5.  It's fun!

The following 3 posts in this series will cover 3 specific projects the fifth graders completed this year.